Mother Dolores Hart's memoir available today

Contact: Lisa Wheeler, 404-519-1987

SAN FRANCISCO, May 7, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Dolores Hart was a young, successful actress in Hollywood in the 1960s, with 10 highly successful movies to her credit. Then, she made a shocking decision: Hart left the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and entered a contemplative monastery.

Now, 50 years later, Mother Dolores steps back into the world to share the fascinating account of her life, in THE EAR OF THE HEART: An Actress' Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows.

So, who was Dolores Hart? And what made this bright and beautiful Hollywood phenom, who beat out other young actresses to star opposite Elvis Presley in Paramount's 1957 Loving You, leave a promising, glamorous career for a hidden life?

For the first time, and after more than 50 years, we learn the full details of Dolores Hicks' complicated and colorful childhood growing up in Chicago, her meteoric rise to Hollywood fame as Dolores Hart, her five-year courtship with and engagement to Don Robinson, and her mystical journey toward God, serenity and, yes, love.

We learn that she entered the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Connecticut, at the peak of her career, not in order to leave the glamorous world of acting she had dreamed of since childhood, but in order to answer a mysterious call she heard with the "ear of the heart." While contracted for another film and engaged to be married, she abandoned everything to become a bride of Christ. But what did that mean?

Take a sneak peek at the story here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxBB-HzW8gI&feature=player_embedded.

Friend and admirer, Maria Shriver, remarks on her memoir: "Mother Dolores Hart is a remarkable woman with a remarkable story -- one of love, devotion and faith."

Beginning today, and for a brief time, Mother Dolores will step outside of the cloistered life of the Abbey of Regina Laudis to travel the country sharing her story. Visit the book website for more information on book signings, appearance and events.

To schedule an interview with Mother Dolores Hart, to invite her to speak at a book signing or other event, or to request a review copy for a media outlet, please contact Lisa Wheeler (770-591-0045) or LWheeler@CarmelCommunications.com) or Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com) of Carmel Communications.